Page 46 of Crimson Flames

“Old Man,” I say gently as he rips at the packaging. “Take it slow.”

As if he just realized how reckless he was being, he sets the box down on the counter and begins carefully peeling back the edges to reveal a flash drive and handwritten note.

His face looks like he is going to be sick, eyes snapping up to meet Nessa’s as he hands it to her. Being the nosy fecker I am, I lean over her shoulder and read it along with her.

My perfect little doll,

You thought you could outrun me. You must have forgotten that I am king of my world, and I have eyes everywhere.

You were promised to me, and I never give away what is mine. I will give you one chance to come to me freely as my wife or I will continue to take everything from you.

Your world as you know it will come crashing down around you, and I will make you watch as the life leaves the eyes of everyone you love. I already took your sister and the abomination you were carrying, would you care to test me again?

I hope this little home video will prove to you how serious I am, and that I am just getting started.

See you soon, my little doll.

Nessa’s fingers shake, her body growing weak. She falls into me, but Kai is the one to wrap an arm around her.

“I told you I didn’t want her getting hurt.” His eyes slice daggers into my chest.

He tries to get Nessa to look at him by shaking her shoulder, but she is frozen in shock.

“How could you ask me to protect her when you can’t even do it yourselves?” Kai spits at Boris.

Boris is the picture of calm and collected as he looks at Nessa. She slowly rises to her feet and grabs onto the counter for support, pulling herself from Kai.

“I’m okay,” she says weakly.

“That’s bullshit and we all know it,” Kai says, his voice slightly more gentle than the one he used with Boris. “If we’re going to be upfront and transparent about everything then maybe let’s not start lying now.”

Nessa nods, her eyes still staring blankly off into space. She blinks a few times, the haze of memories clearing from her eyes before she glances over at him.

“I’m not hurt, I was trying to remember if I saw him that night. I believed it when you said you did, but I wanted to know for myself.”

I slowly walk to Nessa, giving her no choice but to fold her body into mine. “And?” I ask gently.

“I saw him.”

Boris joins me at Nessa’s side and presses a kiss to her head. “Tell me what you need,Lisichka.”

Nessa takes a deep breath before turning in my hold to face us all. “I need him dead.”

“His head will be yours,” I vow.

“He will die at your feet, my little fox.”

“I'll help cut him at the knees,” Kai says, making us all look at him. “What? You said together and I agreed. Seems only right Iget to help take down my mortal enemy who also happens to be yours.”

Nessa smiles, reaching out to hold one of his hands. “You're right. When the time comes, you'll be there too.”

It’s silent for a minute before Kai's glaze flicks to the flash drive sitting on the counter.

“What do you think is on that?” Kai asks, gesturing to the flash drive.

Nessa takes it, lifting the device as if to scan it herself.

“He killed someone, so I bet this is his way of showing me.”

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